Beyond Trading in Telecom for Sustainable Development

Abstract:     
This paper is an effort to capture the canvas of GATS and its interrelationship with over all trade value chain and MNC business models. Looking at the patterns of services trade, it is interesting to note that on one end, the improvements in telecom infrastructure facilitate new ways to export services using digital networks as in case of BPO. On the other hand, the innovative telecom-regulatory framework provides a solution for overcoming digital divide through USO-framework by extending telecom services to under-developed and rural areas.

Greatest challenges of trade for developing countries are rise of foreign participation in growth industries marginalizing domestic players, weakening of regulatory institutions and by-pass of WTO-rules by MNCs.

This paper emphasizes the need for strong institutional framework in order to manage market dynamics, development approaches and trade challenges for the long-term sustainability.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 38

Keywords: Digital access, digital divide, economic development, GATS, Pakistan, modes of supply, outsourcing, telecom regulation, telecom policy, telecom reform, telecom liberalization, trade in services, trade liberalization, universal service obligation (USO), WTO

JEL Classification: A10, F10, F23, F40, H10, K20, O20, O53

working papers series